Hakuna Matata

Literally the phrase means "There are no worries" It is a common expression meant to say take it easy, no problem, or no worries. This was popularized in the movie "The Lion King". Yesterday was "Hakuna Matata Day" where all three of us -Irene, Rachelle and myself from Aeroplan were joined by Nish and three zonal leader girls for a safari tour in the Nairobi National Park. With an open top mini van off we roamed around the 118 square kilometer park taking photo shoots of giraffes, wild beasts, warthogs, cranes, vultures, gazelles, impalas, zebras and more. It was good to see wild life free from worries - living, breathing and roaming freely. It reminded us that somehow we also have to take a break from it all and not worry too much about our day to day existence. Do these creatures worry what tomorrow will bring? If their maker provides for their tomorrow, how about ours? Erkhardt Tolle, a Vancouver writer of "The Power of Now" said "If we are able to feel the reality of such things as the inner body, surrender, forgiveness, and the Unmanifested we will be opening ourselves to the transforming experience of the power of now. Indeed it will based on my experience. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a "gift".

We've learned that the slum dwellers, despite their poverty and seeming hopelessness, have resilience and undeniable hope in life. They have a spiritual strength that is quite admirable. This truly is a great reminder to all of us. Hakuna Matata! or Hakuna Noma ! (Swahili slang /sheng)